So based on Texas AG Paxton's statement, can county clerks refuse to issue marriage licenses to interracial couples on religious grounds?

I don't think this statement amounts to much more than a reluctant retreat. Most clerks in Texas are issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. My own view is that the clerk's office should always employ someone with authority and willingness to issue such licenses so that any individual clerk cannot create any obstacle but will not necessarily have to resign.

I am old enough to remember laws and individual arguments against mixed-race marriages. The resistance to court rulings that such marriages had to be permitted was almost precisely the same as the current resistance to the court's ruling on gay marriage. Eventually, that resistance virtually disappeared. I am confident that the same thing will happen with the resistance to gay marriage.

I absolutely agree. If a public official can't do their job according to the law, they need to find a new job.

Can you explain, however, why a private business must also go against their beliefs and bake a cake for an event that goes against their beliefs? Should a pro-choice baker be forced to cater a pro-life event under penalty of the law, lots of fines, and perhaps jail time?

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It appears Paxton is providing a legal loophole for Texas officials. Until that hole closes, they should not consider resigning, as they are not the issue. The AG is, because it appears he is willing to violate the Constitution.

It's a nice try. You might want to look up what happened when the National Guard was called in to enforce national law on school integration in Little Rock.

Paxton apparently thinks he is smarter than the Supreme court. Or has more authority. Bad Paxton, Bad Paxton.

I wonder if I could use the religious belief bit to avoid paying taxes.